Collapsible boats



Aug. 23, 1960 l R. DESNGES I coLLAPsIBLE BOATS Filed July 29, V195'/A lINV EN T 0R. 12m-m2o DESANGES BY .dgl'wwl WM/yyw ATTO EN EYS Aug- 23,1960 R. DESANGES 2,949,616

COLLAPSIBLE BOATS Filed July 29, 1957 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. 'QmHAQoDESANGES mgm www@ AT TO 2N EYS Aug. 23, 1960 R. DEsANGEs coLLAPsIBLEBOATS 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed July 29, 1957 Hg sa' INVENTOR. RmHARDDasANGEs BY fw ATTORNEYS Vatenei COLLAPSIBLE BOATS Richard Desanges,Courbevoie, France, assigner to S- yciete Zodiac, Rochefort-sur-Mer,France, a corporation of France Filed July 29, 1957, Ser. No. 674,870Claims priority, application France Aug. 3, 19456 Claims. (Cl. 9 2) Thisinvention relates to collapsible boats and has specific reference tocollapsible boats of the inatable type wherein the sides consist ofrubber tubes or the like which are connected by a cloth forming thebottom of the boat.

Boats of this general character are known and generally comprise adetachable, hinged floor or slatted structure which is rigid when in anassembling position; a keel fitting between the door and the bottomcloth so as to impart thereto suitable tension and contour; and finallya rear inclined panel secured permanently between the inner lateralwalls of the side tubes and preferably anchored to the oor structurewhen the latter is in an assembled position.

However, the presence of detachable or rigid component elements isobjectionable not only because these elements make it impossible to foldup the boat in the form of a complete, readily inflatable unit, but alsobecause, in certain cases, these elements necessitate handlings whichare generally inconvenient and difficult since their object is to imparta certain tension and stiffness to the boat. This drawback isparticularly serious when the boat is intended for use as a lifeboat,for, under these circumstances, the emergency boat is generally thrownonto the water surface, whereafter these elements must be properlypositioned upon completion of the pneumatic ination of the envelope.

Now it is the object of the present invention tofacilitate theassembling of boats of this general character.

This invention consists essentially in so arranging the componentelements listed hereabove as to render them interdependent andcollapsible with the envelope so as to obtain a self-contained, quicklyinflatable and readily usable unit.

According to a preferred embodiment of this invention the boat comprisesessentially a floor assembled with the rear panel and consisting ofhinged slats so that .it can be wound with the envelope on the rearpanel when the boat is being folded up.

In addition the keel, in order to permit this folding operation, is inthe 'form of an inflatable tubular envelope disposed on thebottom-forming cloth and extending from the stem of the boat along thelongitudinal axis thereof so as to bear against the floor during theination and thus impart adequate stiffness and contour to the aforesaidbottom cloth.

In order to afford a clearer understanding of the present invention andof the manner in which the same may be carried out in practice,reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings forming part ofthis specification and illustrating diagrammatically by way of example atypical embodiment of a collapsible boat constructed -according to theteachings of this invention. In the drawings:

Figure l is a top plan View of the boat;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary top plan View showing on a vlarger scale thedoor of the boat;

Figure 3 is a detailed vertical section taken on the line III-III ofFig. l land showing on a larger scale the assembling of the rear panel;

Figures 4 and 5 are detailed longitudinal sections showing structuraldetails of the floor, the sections being taken on the lines IV-IV andV-V of Fig. 2;

Figure 6 is a side elevational View of the boat afloat;

Figures 7 and 7a are a side View and a plane view from beneath of theinflated keel with its various crosssection;

Figure 8 is a front view of the boat;

Figure 9 is a longitudinal vertical sectional view taken on linelIX---IX of Figure l, and,

Figure l0 is a transverse, vertical sectional view taken on line X-X ofFigure l.

Referring firstly to Fig. l, it will be seen that the collapsible boat,according to this invention, consists essentially of a pair of inatablerubber tubes 1, 2 interconnected by a bottom-forming cloth 3, of a doorproper 4 comprising hinged transverse slats 5, of a rear panel 6 and ofan inatable keel 7 disposed symmetrically to the longitudinal axis ofthe boat between the Hoor and the bottom-forming cloth.

The floor, shown more in detail in Fig. 2, consists of a plurality ofhingedly assembled panels or boards 8,l 9 and 10, for example of plywoodor other adequate material, on which the transverse slats 1l aresupported.

The hinged connection between these oor panels S, 9 and le may lbeobtained, for example, by providing intermediate floor elements l2supporting bevelled cross members i3 through hinges consisting ofinterlaced fabric straps 14 disposed laterally on either sides of thedoor and interconnecting the end cross-member 11 of each pair ofadjacent panels.

Fig. 4 shows the detailed structure of this hinged connection betweenthe end cross-members 1l' of panels 8 and l9, for example, and notablythe reverse interlacing of the yfabric straps L4 and 14 passing throughslots 15 formed in the bevelled cross members 13 and also through theinterstices 16 existing either between the intermediate floor elementsl2, or between the latters and the adjacent panels. From the foregoingit will be readily understood that the bevelled edges of the crossmembers i3 permit of folding one panel on the adjacent panel, the numberof intermediate floor elements 12 being subordinate to the resultingthickness of the folded asse-mbly.

Besides, the hinged-slats and iioor-panel structure is assembled withthe rear panel `6. This assembly may be permanent, for example of thehinge type, and comprises in this case a connection intended primarilyto permit a quick disassembling of the floor from the rear panel, inview notably of permitting the cleaning of the boat interior.

This assembly comprises a movable cross member 17 connected to the rearinclined panel 6 and interposed between the rearmost pair of rear crossmembers 11 of panel 8 where it may be locked in position after itsassembling with one of them.

The hinged connection between this movable cross member i7 and the rearinclined panel 6 consists of a band of fabric i8 secured in a recessformed at the lower edge of the rear panel under a clamping lath 19 bymeans of screws or the like, as shown in Fig. 3.

This fabric band is secured on the cross member 17 by being clampedunder a moulding 21 of semi-circular cross-section.

Thus, when the door is pushed backwards against the panel 6 the movablecross member 17 may be assembled-by virtue of its rear groove ZZ-withthe last cross member 11 of the oo-r in which a corresponding PatentedAug. 23, 1960 rib 23 is formed. Two or more lugs 24 pivotally mounted onthe penultimate cross member 11 lock the movable cross member 17 in itsassembled position.

From the foregoing, it is evident that the deflated boat may be foldedup as follows: A i

The rubber envelopes or side tubes l, 2 are folded up on Ithe oor, therear panel 6 is then folded up on the panel 8 in the direction of thearrow 25 (Fig. 3) by pivoting about the lower front edge of Itheclamping lath 19. This movement is permitted by the slackness of thebottom cloth 3 secured on the rear face of ther panel when the boat -isdeated.

Then the assembly comprising the rear inclined panel 6 and door panel 8is folded up in turn on the panel'` 9, the hinged connection betweenthese two panels being designed as a function of the thickness of thesethree superposed elements. Finally, the panel 10, having a frontextension consisting of one or more cross members 26 for a purpose to bedefined presently, may be folded up in turn on the assembly by virtue ofIthe hinged connection provided between this panel and the aforesaidpanel 9, this hinged connection being also calcuiated as a function ofthe thickness of the three elements superposed beforehand.

Thus, a compact unit is obtained which may be readily utilized byiniiating the rubber tubes. On the other hand, it is evident that thisfolding procedure renders the boat particularly suitable for beingthrown on to the water surface as an emergency lifeboat, where it willunfold to assume the form illustrated in Fig. l and be ready for use,the propulsion being effected for example by using oars. The oars may befitted in and attached to the coiled unit resulting from the foldingstep, rowlocks or like devices 27 being provided on the lateral rubbertubes and registering with the central floor panel in order not tointerfere with the folding operation.

One or a plurality of cross members 26 are disposed at the front of thefloor structure to constitute an adequate support or bearing for theinflatable keel 7. Such cross members 26 -are preferably securedpermanently on the envelope by their ends, for example with theassistance of fabric comer-elements glued or cemented by means of asuitable adhesive along the line formed at the junction of the rubbertubes with the bottom cloth so as to position them as shown in Fig. 6.

The inflatable keel 7which may be dispensed with if desired if the boatis to be propelled by oars only-is inated after the side tubes so as tobear against the underside of the cross member or members 26 as well asof the floor retained by the tubes, and impart the necessary tension andcontour to the bottom cloth as shown in Figs. 6 and 8, This arrangement,while improving the behaviour of the boat against streams or waves,increases very considerably the efficiency of the boat when the latteris propelled by an engine.

This keel consists of a substantially tubular envelope disposedsymmetrically on the longitudinal axis of the boat and extends from thelower end of the stem 28 consisting of the joint between the two lateraltubes to the rear panel. Its construction and any necessary repairs arefacilitated in that it is detachable. This keel is illustratedseparately in Figs. 7, 7a and comprises an adequate number of fixationlugs 29. The purpose of these lugs 29 is not only to fix the keel in thelongitudinal direction, as in the case of the front and rear lugs towhich correspond similar lugs carried by the envelope, but also tomaintain it edgewise in the boat axis. As the development of this keelis facilitated preferably in the vertical direction during theinflation, it will be noted that the central lugs 29 are double so as toconnect the keel transversely to corresponding lugs of the envelope inthe case of the lower portion of the keel, and to attach it in a similarmanner at its upper portion through orifices (not shown) provided forthis purpose in the floor structure. It is evident that this keel doesnot interfere with the folding of the deflated boat as explainedhereinabove.

Moreover, the rear panel is adapted to receive an outboard engine. It isapparent that due to its assembling with the iioor (see Fig. 3) it`bears efficiently for this purpose against the upper rear edge of thelast cross member 11 of the floor.

In the case of engine propulsion it is also necessary to give anadequate stiffness to the hinged Hoor, at least on the lengthcorresponding to the plane by which the boat glides on water, with dueconsideration for its front lift.

A pair of detachable longitudinal beams 30 are provided in this case andadapted to fit without difficulty under the inner Wall of each tubularoat (see Fig. 2). In Fig. 5 it is apparent that the outer upper edge ofeach longitudinal member 30 is bevelled, as at 35, and that its innerside is formed with a longitudinal groove 31 adapted to receive acorresponding rib 32 formed at the ends of the hinged cross members 13and longitudinal members 33 of each panel.

Then, each thus assembled longitudinal member is urged against thelateral surface of the relevant adjoining side loat by the lateral edges34 of the floor panels. In addition, these beams are locked againstlongitudinal movement for example by means of end blocks 35 (Fig. 2)permanently secured on the edges 34 of the oor panel and level with theslat structure. When the assembly is about to be -folded up, these beamsmay be inserted in the resulting roll as already suggested withreference to the oars.

Of course, the embodiment shown and described herein is given by way ofillustration only and should not be construed as limiting the field ofthe present invention as many modifications and 4alterations may bebrought thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of theinvention as set forth in the appended claims. Thus, the relativedimensions, shapes and sizes of the component elements may be altered toa large extent without departing from the principles of the invention.

I claim:

l. A collapsible boat comprising a pair of inflatable tubes disposed inspaced, side by side fashion to form the sides of the boat and connectedat one end to form the bow of the boat and spaced laterally apart at theother end to form the stern of the boat, a liexible member connected toand extending between the tubes and dening the bottom of the boat, aplurality of oor panels arranged transversely between the tubes andhingedly connected together to constitute the oor of the boat, a rearpanel hingedly connected to the floor panels and disposed laterallybetween the tubes at the stern, locking means locating said rear panelin a fixed, substantially vertical position, an inflatable tubularmember forming the keel of the boat and interposed between the bottomand the floor of the boat and extending symmetrically along thelongitudinal laxis of the boat, a cross member secured to the lower endof the rear panel and said locking means including an adjoiningremovable cross member at the rear transverse end of the licor panel andan interlocking tongue and groove connection between said cross memberon the rear panel and said adjoining removable cross member.

2. A collapsible boat comprising side portions defined by inflatabletubes, a flexible member transversely extending between and joining theside portions and forming a bottom, a rigid floor overlying the flexiblemember and formed from hingedly connected rigid panels arrangedtransversely `of the boat, rigid longitudinal beams extending along theinner surfaces of the inflatable tubes, means locating the beams againstupward movement, means connecting the panels to the longitudinal beams,a rear panel at the rear end of the oor, locking means for locating therear panel in a substantially vertical position and an -inatable tubularmember forming the keel of the boat and interposed between the bottomandthe iloor and extending symmetrically along the longitudinal axis ofthe boat.

3. A collapsible boat as claimed in claim 2, wherein said tubular keelmember is provided with fastening means for securing it in positionagainst axial and lateral movement and permitting the tubular keelmember to be inflated to stretch the flexible bottom.

4. A collapsible boat -as claimed in claim 2, wherein said tloor panelsare provided with opposing transverse ends having cross membersconnected thereto, said cross members having confronting beveled facesadapted to overlie each other as the panels are folded one on top of theother and strap elements hingedly connecting the cross members.

5. A collapsible boat comprising side portions defined by inatabletubes, a exible member transversely extending between and joining theside portions and forming a bottom, a rigid oor overlying the exiblemember and formed from hingedly connected rigid panels arrangedtransversely of the boat `and disposed in spaced hingedly connectedrelation, means disposed at the opposing sides of the rigid oor andengageable with the inatable tubes for locating the oor in a positionagainst upward movement relative to the inatable tubes, a rearReferences Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 4,356Day Ian. 15, 1840 2,123,409 Elmendorf July 12, 1938A 2,250,127 HarmanJuly 22, 1941 2,531,549 Boyd Nov. 28, 1950 2,784,464 Larsvall ...v...Mar. 12, 1957 FOREIGN PATENTS 304,563 Great Britain Jan. 24, 1929350,146 Italy July 6, 1937 504,287 Germany Apr. 25, 1929 515,968 GermanyFeb. 20, 1930 618,561 Great Britain Feb. 23, 1949 948,145 France Ian,24, 1949

